Performing Department
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Non Technical Summary
Non-Technical Summary:The long-term goal of this proposal is to increase the diversity of the Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences (FANH) workforce, especially among African Americans and Underrepresented Minorities (URM) students. The primary objective is to increase retention and graduation rates among Langston University students pursuingbachelor'sdegreesinagriculturalsciencesbyprovidingscholarships,experientiallearning,andcareerdevelopment opportunities. The project will achieve this through threesecondary objectives,1:Recruit and train at least 30 Scholars per year;2:Increase retention and graduation rates of scholars through mentoring, experiential learning, and professional development,3:Increasetheemploymentratesand/orgraduateschooladmissionsofscholarsbyprovidingthenecessaryskills and career services. These objectives will lead to greater retention and recruitment of students, specifically African American and URM students and increase rates of persistence to baccalaureates among Langston University's School of Agriculture and Applied Science's students (SL/SAAS). Indeed, all project goals and objectives included in the proposal are compatible with those articulated in the 1890 Scholarship Program. The addition of at least 30 Scholars per year, who likely would not otherwise matriculate in SL/SAAS due to financial and other constraints, will have a positive impact for both Scholars and for strengthening the academic mission of Langston University(LU)Land-GrantPrograms.ForScholars,theprogramwillincreasetheirskillsandengagement,resultinginenhancedretention and employment rates. For LU, the program will increase the diversity of the University in general and will enable LU to build linkageswithhighschools,communities,andbusinessesinOklahomaandbeyond.TheproposedprogramwillpromoteLUasa major producer of highly trained agricultural graduates in Oklahoma.Additionally, the food and agriculture workforce will be enhanced by the graduation of these trained and talented Scholars.
Animal Health Component
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Research Effort Categories
Basic
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Applied
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Developmental
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Goals / Objectives
Ourlong-term goalis to increase the diversity of the FANH sciences workforce, especially among African Americans and URM students. Theprimary objectiveis to increase retention and graduation rates among Langston University students pursuing a bachelor's degree in agricultural sciences by providing scholarships, experiential learning, and career development opportunities. This project will achieve this through three specific objectives:Objective 1:Recruitandenrollatleast20scholarsperyear.Thisincludesofferingfull4-yearandor2-yearscholarshipstomatriculating high school and or transfer students per year. Additionally, partial scholarships will be offered to rising juniors who did not previously qualify for scholarships but excelled academically through freshman and sophomore years at LU.Objective 2:Increase retention and graduation rates of scholars and other students through mentoring, experiential learning, and professionaldevelopmentfrom50percentto80percent.Objective3:Increasetheemploymentratesand/orgraduateschool admissions of scholars from the current 60 percent to 90 percent by providing the necessary skills and career services. We anticipate that these objectives will lead to greater recruitment and retention of students, particularly African Americans and otherURM'swhileincreasingratesofpersistencetoabaccalaureateamongLangstonUniversity'sShermanLewisSchoolof Agriculture and Applied Science's SL/SAAS).
Project Methods
METHODS:SL/SAAS Recruitment Activities:For maximum impact, SL/SAAS will coordinate its recruitment schedule with Langston University's Enrollment Center (LUEC).LU-SL/SAAS will also conduct independent recruitment trips to feeder high schools, adoptedschools,4-Hclubs,andFFAprogramsamongothers.Thiswillallow SL/SAAStouseitspromotionaldisplaysand faculty/staffexpertiseinspecificdisciplinestospeakclearlyaboutbroadfoodandagricultureopportunities.Otheractivitiesinclude:Adopt-a-School Program: SL/SAAS will 'adopt' selected schools based on need and identified student interest. We anticipate adopting eight rural and urban schools during the project period. Students will visit SL/SAAS special classes, seminars,fielddays,andotheractivities.SAASfaculty/staffwillgivelecturesanddemonstrations,currentstudentswillassist with tutoring programs, and extension staff will assist with establishing school gardens, 4-H clubs, leadership and other development programs.SL/SAAS Open House for High School and Community College Students: SL/SAAS will invite high schools and communitycollegestudentstospendadayeachsemesterwithSAASfacultyandstudents.Itwillprovideprospectivestudents with novel perspectives of food and agriculture disciplines. Community college students will meet with advisors and discuss degree plans.EnhanceRecruitmentActivitiesinSurroundingCountiesandDemographicCenters:Specialeffortwillbemadetobuild strongrelationshipswithhighschoolinthecountiessurroundingLU,OklahomaCity,andTulsa.Wewillrecruitstudentsthrough "nontraditional settings" such as community engagements, churches, expos, and bus tour as many students in urban centers have not considered a degree/career in agriculture due to their lack of exposure to modern agriculture.InformativeBrochuresandVideoClipsforeachAcademicProgram:Thesewillbedevelopedanddistributedtopotential students, teachers, counselors and parents.Utilize Current Students:"Word-of-mouth," especially from current students and graduates is a powerful and effective methodofcommunicationtoprospectivestudents.Currentlyenrolledstudentsin SL/SAASwillactivelyparticipateintherecruitment and retention processes.FacilitateaSmoothTransitiontoCampusLife:SL/SAASwillmitigatetransfershockthroughOrientation,facultymentors, and club/group engagement.